{"product_id":"sharon-christmas-cactus-schlumbergera-truncata-sharon","title":"Sharon Christmas Cactus - Schlumbergera truncata 'Sharon'","description":"\u003cp\u003eSharon Christmas Cactus (\u003cem\u003eSchlumbergera truncata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Sharon') has flowers in an intense, electric shocking pink on a fountain of arching, jointed stems about 40cm high and wide. The curled, ribbon-like blooms open at the stem tips in winter, and the colour is stronger in a room than any photo suggests. If you want a plant that cannot be ignored, this is it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA colour that stops you.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shocking pink brightens a dull winter corner and holds its own against any pot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shiny buds form at the stem tips and unfurl through the cold months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLives a very long time.\u003c\/strong\u003e An old clump in full bloom is something people remember. It is a plant to hand on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClear about water.\u003c\/strong\u003e Leaves wrinkle when the plant is dry or too hot, which is an easy signal to read.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSafe for pets.\u003c\/strong\u003e Christmas cactus is not toxic to cats or dogs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA feature on a side table.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 40cm fountain suits a side table, sideboard or shelf in a bright window without direct sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMixed with calm foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shocking pink looks best beside plain green or white pots, which let the flowers carry the room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaskets and tall pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e The stems arch and hang, so a basket or tall pot shows the flowers off. Plant one tube alone, or three together in a 20cm pot for more body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Sharon Christmas Cactus in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Good light, out of direct sun. It is frost tender and has to be kept over 10°C, so outdoor growing suits only frost-free tropical, subtropical and sheltered warm temperate gardens, under cover. In the cooler south, keep it inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e A gritty, free-draining compost mix or very free-draining soil, in a pot that drains well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water when the mix is dry, more often in hot weather, and mist the leaves. After flowering let it rest somewhere cooler, below 18°C, with less water. Once the weather warms, water more and begin feeding with a liquid fertiliser to support new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e There is nothing to prune each year. For a fuller shape, twist off one or two segments after flowering and root them in a pot of their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Sharon Christmas Cactus as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small and will not be flowering yet, and it needs a year or two to grow into the full display. Pot it into a gritty mix soon after delivery and water only when the mix has dried.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/indoor-flowering-plants\"\u003eBrowse indoor flowering plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/succulents-cacti\"\u003eSucculents and cacti\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-safe-for-pets\"\u003ePlants safe for pets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/the-world-of-succulents-a-must-have-guide-for-garden-lovers\"\u003eA complete guide to succulents in Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much light does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood light, but out of direct sun. A bright spot near a window, shaded by a sheer curtain in the middle of the day, suits it. Too little light means fewer flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I get it to flower again?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive it a rest after flowering in cooler conditions below 18°C with less water, then water and feed as the weather warms. Once buds appear, avoid moving it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it survive a frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is frost tender and needs to stay above 10°C, so bring it indoors or under cover well before the cold arrives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790879916351,"sku":"SCH-TRU-SHARON-tube","price":23.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/sharon-christmas-cactus-schlumbergera-truncata-sharon.jpg?v=1792211032","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/sharon-christmas-cactus-schlumbergera-truncata-sharon","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}